Cyvex distributes UK cocoa polyphenols

California-based Cyvex will add the heart health ingredient to the list of proprietary ingredients, including antioxidants, it has supplied to the dietary supplement and functional foods industries for over two decades. Research on cocoa polyphenols points to the potential values of these ingredients for cardiovascular applications in supplements and functional foods. Consumers have been made more aware of these benefits through the marketing of mainstream chocolate companies. CocoaVia, from Mars, and Acticoa, by Barry Callebaut, both boast high polyphenol content and are marketed as healthy options. CocoaNol is a proprietary extract from selected varieties of GMO-free, fermented cocoa beans, with a minimum of 20 percent polyphenols, of which at least 25% are monomers, dimers and trimers. A recent meta-analysis from Germany found polyphenol-rich cocoa could reduce blood pressure to a similar extent as beta-blockers. Researchers from the University Hospital of Cologne compiled data from five studies on the effects of cocoa on blood pressure involving 173 participants, and found that consumption of the ingredient had significant positive effects on blood pressure. Of the 173 participants from the cocoa trials, 87 were assigned to consume cocoa and 86 were controls. Thirty-four per cent of the participants had hypertension. After an average follow-up of two weeks, a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the cocoa-supplemented groups. Compared with controls, systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 4.7 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.8 mmHg. On the other hand, no such benefits were reported for the 343 individuals in five tea studies (171 drinking tea and 172 controls) examined as part of the meta-analysis. CPC Ingredients specializes in cocoa derivatives and develops extracts with the flavor components cocoa and chocolate. It says these flavour-enhancing extracts can also be tailored for enriched levels of polyphenols and flavenoids as well as naturally occurring theobromine. Cyvex's proprietary and branded ingredients include PomActiv, AppleZin apple extract, BerryVin high-ORAC berry ingredients, AvoVida avocado and soy unsaponifiables, BioVin whole grape extract, BioVin advanced French red wine extract, BioVinca vinpocetine, BroccoPhane broccoli sprout powder, CranVida cranberry extract and Q-Vida quebracho extract.